heat010

Since I had problems attaching a post to the C7 value thread, I wondered what people noticed in terms of ride quality difference between C7 and non C7 equipped C230's. Was it noisier, ride harsher, stiffer on the C7 cars? Fill me in, since this will affect ride comfort in the long term. Thanks.

gab

difference in ride quality is not significant enough that you should give up the good value of C7 is that what you want to hear?

with the Better Tires on C7 (pilot sport) actually very quite. come on 16"->17" is not that of a difference

edvpt

I own a C230 w/C7 and drove a C230 non-C7 demo for a weekend before purchasing. My responses would be:

1) My wife nor I noticed any difference in noise. The C230 is very MB solid, with good sound insulation and quite ride.

2) The ride is stiffer, you feel more little bumps with the C7. But again it is a MB and the C7 is not like a stiff street racer. I drive ~60-90 minutes a day round trip to work and find the C230 w/C7 very comfortable and easy to drive. It is probably the most relaxing sports car I have ever owned.

3) The handling is the most noticeable change, the C7 wheels have very little sidewall flex and make freeway on/off ramps and other high speed cornering a much more controllable and enjoyable experience. The car feels a bit more responsive.

Again though the changes are slight. If you like a sportier feel the C7 is a good value. If your looking for best ride comfort and the C240 is out of range the C230 without the C7 is the way to go.

FYI - The suspension in the C230 C7 is the same as the C230 without the C7. Only the stiffer sport tires effect ride. All C230 have a stiffer sportier suspension then the base C240.

DCX Engineer

edvpt,
I noticed you drove your BMW 200k miles. Are you planning on keeping the new c230k for 200k miles? My car (c230, 6sp, c7) arrives in March. It will be a daily driver for the next five years for my 45 mile commute to work. Hoping for 150k+ miles with no unexpected repairs. Are you driving on the c7 wheels the rest of the winter?

DCX Engineer

edvpt,
I noticed you drove your BMW 200k miles. Are you planning on keeping the new c230k that long also? My new daily driver (c230k, 6sp, c7) arrives in March to replace a '99 Dodge Stratus 2.0L 5sp. I have a 45-mile highway commute and will use this car for the next 5 years/150k miles.
Are you driving the rest of the winter on the c7 wheels/tires or did you get a set of winter tires?

zimmer26

I found very little if any added ride firmness or noise over the rough stuff after driving each of them back to back which was one of my fears that C7 would compromise the smooth riding Merc- not at all the case- which was a relief because its a great package. A bit quicker response perhaps but not nervous handling by any stretch- no good reason to pass on C7 IMO(unless you don't like the wheels.) I think they and the stock wheels are both nice. Hope it helps.

C230/6speed/orion/C7/changer soon but not soon enough!

Mike E

The impressions of the difference between the 17" wheels and 16" wheels described by edvpt are very much like my own impressions of the difference. I did a back to back test drive over the same roads with a C7 C230 and a standard C230. That experience convinced me to get the C7 package on my car (on order, not yet arrived). I did not hear any difference in tire road noise. I would describe the general ride as a little bit tighter but ride comfort was barely diminished, if at all. Handling was definitely better. This was most evident in aggressive cornering. The car's limits regarding cornering are extended with the wider, lower tires. For me, as a driver, this works well because it gives me more confidence in the car's ability to hold the road through a corner at speed. That means I can be a little bit more agressive when the situation warrants and still have fun because I'm not enough of a daredevil to derive pleasure from operating a vehicle too near it's limits.

edvpt

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DCX Engineer

DCX Engineer,

The thinking is to keep the C230 Coupe as my daily driver until my daughter turns 16, in 4-5 years, at which point it becomes her 1st car. (What a nice Dad, my father didn't give me a MB, he gave me a Beetle). By then it should have ~ 100K miles. I think it will be a great 1st car, safe, solid, Airbags, and DSC to keep it on the road.

I intend to supplement the MB provided maintenance with extra oil and filter changes at 5K, and care for the car so it can carry her to College and make the 150-200K mark with good care. That’s the hope.

Where I live, central Ohio does not get much snow, maybe 6 storms a year with usually less then 2 inches, which is usually cleared quickly. So I am sticking to the 17" tires. I have only had it in the snow once, but the new 225/45's did pretty well. The DSC continuously engaged when starting out, but it kept the car straight. The electronics make this a very easy car to drive in snow.

Good luck with yours.